CLOSE OF THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 78, 4 April 1899, Page 2

CLOSE OF THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT.

THE SHAM FIGHT AND REVIEW OF THE FORCES.

Yesterday's sham fight gave our volunteers some useful practice in Skirmishing and advancing in extended order. The batte proved a gather one-sided affair, and there is no doubt that although the attacking party were numerically the weaker at the two, they did no. manoeuvre to the best advantage, so that the a^ack •was weaker than it need have been. The defenders, under Major Murray, had a very strong position on the mW ground overlooking the OraKei Wsin on the one side, and St. John „ Lake on the other. Their front line extended from above the Orakei Bridge where the No. 1 Victoria Rifles were posted, to beyond Barry . Hill, on the road leading to St. John's College. Lhe centre of the defending party was at S junction of St. John's College and the Ladies' Mile. From this pom.outposts were sent out aown the slope .awards the creek, advancing under cover in extended order. Signalleis kept the advance parties m touch with the main body, and numbers of mounted scouts were securing.the country on both sides of the defence line. The commanders of the opposing forces were left to choose their own positions without being informed beforehand of each other's arrangements. The outlying picquets of the defence force came into touch with the 'enemy' as early as ten o'clock, some desultory firing taking place at tne foot of the hill leading to St. John s College. Major White, in charge of the right of the defence, reported that there were indications of an intending attack by the enemy upon the No. 1 Battalion near the centre of the defence line. Elag signallers soon afterwards reported to Major Murray that a body of infantry had landed from a steamer and were advancing on Orakei Bridge. Supports on this point were accordingly strengthened, and the officer in command of the infantry at the bridge was ordered to hold the position at all costs, and to signal for further support if necessary. lhe ground on the right being meanwhile Reported clear, most of the mounted infantry and one of the infantry companies were withdrawn from the right and came in towards the centre, which was also strengthened by the addition of a company from the reserve (No. 2 Battalion, stationed in the Ladies Mile), these movements being made in consequence of the news that the enemy were advancing towards the centre of the defence. About eleven o'clock the attack became general all along the line from the Orakei Bridge to the Remuera road, the firing teking place across the open ground which slopes down on either side of the Orakei Creek. The umpires inspected the cover of the firing line and the defence, and pronounced the position satisfactory. The attack towards the St. John's College road was distinctly weak, and some of the companies were very careless in allowing themselves to be exposed to the heavy volley firing of the defenders, while in instances • attacking companies fired from the year of companies on their own side. Although the attack on Orakei Bridge had only been intended as a feint by Colonel Shepherd, the real attack being planned to take place higher up the line, the officer in charge of the bridge attack misunderstood the order, and persisted in the vain attempt to take the position, with the result that the more important attack higher up was much too weak to make any Impression. The attacking party also had to go without the assistance oil the Coastguards, who got into some very thick scrub and did not make their way through to the front in time to take part in the fighting. When the signal to cease firing was given about noon, the defending party had had all the best of the mimic battle, and the attack on Auckland was adjudged to have been repulsed with heavy loss. After the fight the outlying companies were recalled, and the troops were permitted to enjoy a well-earned rest and eat their lunch. Afterwards friends afid foes united forces once more, and marched back to camp, arriving about half-past two. Colonel Pole-Penton and his staff officers were present throughout the sham fight.